Drain Stopper With Detachable Solid Matter Receptacle

ABSTRACT

An improved drain stopper valve assembly is disclosed that replaces the conventional drain stopper and includes an integral strainer that completely surrounds the underside of the stopper valve. It has perforated, tubular upper and lower sections that connect together via a bayonet coupling that enables easy disassembly for cleaning or removal of debris or a lost object. The lower section of the strainer body is also tapered to enable freer flow of liquid through the stopper valve assembly even if the lower section is filled with debris that has been strained. The replacement stopper valve assembly is designed to fit all standard basin drain plumbing, and to be easily removable from the drain.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/216,830 filed Sep. 10, 2015 by the same inventor and entitled DRAIN STOPPER WITH DETACHABLE SOLID MATTER RECEPATACLE.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to plumbing fixtures and more particularly to drain stopper valves for sinks, tubs, and lavatories.

2. Background of the Invention and Description of the Prior Art

Sinks, tubs, and lavatories are generally basins for holding liquids and equipped with drains in a lower portion of the basin. The drain is typically equipped with a stopper valve or plug to close and seal the drain so that the basin retains water or other liquid until the stopper valve is opened or removed. A large variety of stopper valves exist in the prior art, ranging from a simple plug—often just a cork or rubber stopper—to a mechanism operated by mechanical linkages to open and close the drain using a lever or knob located elsewhere on the basin. Typical stopper valves include a cap to cover or plug the drain and a downward-extending structure to couple the stopper valve to a mechanical lift mechanism to enable raising and lowering the cap or plug into or away from the drain.

As occasionally happens, use of the basin to wash something results in the loss of the object being washed or the passage of debris or even solid matter down the drain. Sometimes an object of value such as a wedding ring is inadvertently lost through the drain during use of the basin. It is difficult to recover a lost object in the plumbing beyond the drain. It is also difficult to clear a drain of debris if it accumulates in the drain trap or other portion of the plumbing. A typical solution to this problem is to include a strainer or basket-like feature attached to the underside of the conventional stopper valve to retain debris until the debris can be removed from the stopper valve assembly. A strainer that can't be removed from a stopper valve is a compromise because it must catch and retain accumulated debris or solid objects but have openings large enough to permit cleaning. A retrofitted flexible strainer such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,082 is also a compromise between the ability to retain lost or solid objects, removal for cleaning, and longevity. A strainer that is removable from the stopper valve, as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,030, but which fills the full cross-section of the drain tubing below the drain opening, tends to fill up with debris and block the drain, thereby restricting the flow of liquid being drained. This type of drain structure must also be removed for cleaning more often.

What is needed is a stopper valve that solves the problems with the conventional devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment there is disclosed a stopper valve for a drain, comprising an upper tubular cylindrical body suspended at an upper end thereof from the underside of a drain stopper; a lower tubular tapered body detachably coupled at an upper end thereof to a lower end of the upper tubular cylindrical body; a bayonet coupling having mating pin and J-slot features respectively formed in corresponding adjoining ends of the upper and lower tubular bodies for detachably coupling the upper and lower tubular bodies; and a receptacle for an inward end of a lift rod disposed near the upper end of an outer side of the lower tubular body; wherein the walls of the upper and lower tubular bodies are perforated with multiple openings or apertures disposed substantially uniformly in at least 25% of the surface area of the walls of the upper and lower tubular bodies to permit the flow of liquids there through while retaining debris and other solid objects within the tubular bodies to be removed when the upper and lower tubular bodies are detached.

In other aspects, the invention includes a bayonet coupling for joining the upper and lower sections. The bayonet coupling is operable without tools yet provides a positive lock of the two components together. One component includes at least two pin elements circumferentially disposed around one end of a section and at least two J-slot elements circumferentially disposed around the adjoining end of the other section such that one section may be rotated slightly to disengage the coupling for cleaning. Assembly is just the reverse: bring the two sections together, twist slightly to engage the pins in the J-slots to secure the two sections together.

In another aspect the walls of the tubular upper and lower sections contain numerous small apertures, uniformly spaced and distributed over the surfaces of both sections to provide maximum surface area for straining debris and lost objects from being passed into the drain.

In another aspect the lower section is tapered to enable freer flow of liquid through the drain stopper valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a pictorial perspective view of a drain stopper assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation view of the drain stopper assembly of FIG. 1 with the upper and lower sections coupled together by a bayonet joint;

FIG. 3 illustrates a lower perspective view of the upper section of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the upper section of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a lower perspective view of the lower section of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of a lift rod and pivot ball mechanism of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an advance in the state of the art a drain stopper valve assembly is disclosed herein that replaces a conventional drain stopper. The invention provides superior performance because it provides a strainer that completely surrounds the underside of the stopper valve, and yet has a detachable lower section that is easily removed without tools for cleaning or recovery of a lost object. The lower section of the strainer body is also tapered to enable freer flow of liquid through the stopper valve assembly even if the lower section is filled with debris that has been strained. The replacement stopper valve assembly is designed to fit all standard basin drain plumbing, including its ability to interface with standard drain lift mechanisms. It is also designed to be as easily removable from the drain as a conventional stopper—just twist a small fraction of a turn and lift.

The accompanying drawings to be described bear reference numbers on each component part of the assembly. The proportions of the structures shown in the drawings are approximate; it is not intended that the illustrations are to scale. Numbers appearing in more than one figure refer to the same component. The drawings depict one exemplary embodiment of the invention to illustrate the concepts of the invention. Variations in the details of the embodied concept described herein are possible and are contemplated to fall within the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, which follow the detailed description.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pictorial perspective view of a drain stopper assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. The major components of the drain stopper valve assembly 10 include an integral stopper valve 16 and tubular upper body or section 12, a lower tubular body or section 14, and a lift rod assembly of a pivot ball 32 and a lift rod 34 that engages a locking pocket 36 on the outside of the lower tubular body 14. This locking pocket 36 is formed at the top end of a longitudinal lift relief 38 formed in the side wall of the lower section 14 to enable passage of the inward end of the lift rod 34 as the drain stopper assembly 10 is removed from a basin drain for cleaning. The lift rod 34 includes a pivot ball 32 that forms a pivoting fulcrum with a capture nut (not shown) that secures the lift rod assembly to the wall of the basin drain pipe (not shown). The outward end of the lift rod 34 engages the lift mechanism (not shown) of the sink, tub, or lavatory.

Also shown in FIG. 1 is the structure of a bayonet coupling that is used to couple the upper and lower sections 12, 14 together without tools. The bayonet coupling is provided by “J” slots 22 and coupling pins 24 as shown. In the illustrated embodiment there may be three “J” slots 22 disposed at approximately 120 degree radial intervals around the body of the upper section 12. Further, there may be three coupling pins 24 similarly disposed around the upper portion of the lower section 14 as shown. It will be observed that the upper section 12 is formed as a cylinder with its walls filled with small apertures 20 to permit water or other liquids to freely flow through the upper section 12. Further, the lower section 14 is similarly formed but is configured as a tapered or conical form that is truncated at its bottom end 40. It too is perforated with numerous small apertures 20. The apertures 20 may be uniformly disposed in at least 25% of the surface area of the walls of the upper 12 and lower 14 tubular sections thereby providing a straining function that completely surrounds the underside of the stopper valve 16. The stopper valve 16 is shown as the upper part of the upper section 12, along with a gasket groove 18 for a gasket washer (not shown) just below the stopper valve 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation view of the drain stopper assembly of FIG. 1 with the upper and lower sections coupled together by the bayonet joint formed by the “J” slots 22 and the coupling pins 24. Also shown in FIG. 2 is an open pedestal 30 that supports the stopper valve in a fixed relationship with the inside of the upper section 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a lower perspective view of the upper section 12 of the embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. This view depicts the stopper valve 16, the gasket groove 18, the plurality of apertures 20 in the side walls of both upper 12 and lower 14 sections, the “J” slots 22, and the pedestal 30 that supports the stopper valve 16 to the inside of the upper section 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the bottom 40 of the upper section of the embodiment of FIG. 3. In this view, the pedestal 30 is clearly shown as a three-winged support the couples the lower portion of the stopper valve 16 to the inside of the upper section 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates a lower perspective view of the lower section of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, including the locking pocket 36 and the lift relief 38. The apertures 20 are shown in the side wall of the lower section 14 as well as the bottom end 40 of the lower section 14. As noted previously, the apertures 20 permit fluid to flow through them while retaining solid objects such as debris or objects inadvertently dropped into the drain.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of a lift rod and pivot ball mechanism of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment the mechanism includes a nylon pivot ball 32 installed on a stainless steel lift rod 34. The mechanism is typically a component of standard basin drain system. The drain stopper assembly 10 of the present invention is configured to accommodate standard lift rod mechanisms.

Both the upper 12 and lower 14 sections of the drain stopper valve assembly 10 may be molded of suitable thermoplastic materials. Other manufacturing methods may alternatively be used, including certain additive manufacturing processes such as the so-called “3D printing” process. The gasket washer (not shown to clearly depict the gasket groove 18) may be formed of natural or synthetic rubber or other resilient material. The apertures 20 may be formed to any shape, as long as the outline is smooth. Although square apertures are shown, they may be round, oval, etc., and still function as intended to readily pass water and other liquids while retaining debris or other solid objects within the tubular body.

To use—i.e., install—the drain stopper assembly 10 it is simply necessary to remove the existing drain stopper and replace it with the assembly 10. To install it requires making sure the upper and lower sections 12, 14 are fully coupled together using the bayonet joint (“J” slots 22 and coupling pins 24), and then inserting it into the drain opening until the locking pocket 36 contacts the lift rod 34, then rotating the assembly 10 to position the lift rod 34 in the locking pocket 36. The drain stopper valve assembly 10 will then move as a unit when closing or opening the stopper valve 16. To remove the drain stopper valve assembly 10 requires reversing the installation procedure to gain access to the stopper components for cleaning.

While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the structure and height of the pedestal 30 may be varied to adapt the stopper 10 to various dimensions of basin drains. Further, the diameters and/or the lengths of the upper 12 and lower 14 sections of the stopper 10 may be varied for the same purpose. Other adaptations are also possible such as varying the size, shape, and density of the apertures 20 that are provided for fluids to pass through the stopper assembly 10. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stopper valve for a drain, comprising: an upper tubular cylindrical section suspended at an upper end thereof from the underside of a drain stopper; a lower tubular tapered section detachably coupled at an upper end thereof to a lower end of the upper tubular cylindrical section; a bayonet coupling having at least two mating J-slot and coupling pin features respectively formed in corresponding adjoining ends of the upper and lower tubular sections for detachably coupling the upper and lower tubular sections; and a lift relief and locking pocket for receiving an inward end of a lift rod disposed near the upper end of an outer side of the lower tubular section; wherein the walls of the upper and lower tubular sections are perforated with multiple apertures disposed substantially uniformly through at least 25% of the surface area of the walls of the upper and lower tubular sections to permit the flow of liquids there through while retaining debris and other solid objects within the tubular sections to be removed when the upper and lower tubular sections are detached.
 2. The stopper valve of claim 1, wherein: the upper tubular cylindrical section and the drain stopper valve are formed as a single component.
 3. The stopper valve of claim 1, wherein: the lower tubular tapered body is formed as a single component that tapers toward a truncated apex at its lower end to permit a freer flow of liquid through the drain.
 4. The stopper valve of claim 1, wherein the drain stopper valve comprises: a circular drain cover supported on an open pedestal attached to the upper tubular cylindrical section and having a concentric sealing gasket groove disposed underneath the drain cover; and a gasket washer sized to fit the sealing gasket groove and formed of a natural or synthetic rubber material.
 5. The stopper valve of claim 1, wherein the bayonet coupling comprises: at least two pin elements circumferentially disposed around the upper end of the lower tubular section; and at least two J-slot elements circumferentially disposed around the lower end of the upper tubular section; such that when the lower tubular section is rotated slightly and pulled axially away from the upper tubular section, the bayonet coupling disengages to detach the lower and upper tubular sections for cleaning.
 6. The stopper valve of claim 1, wherein the bayonet coupling comprises: at least two pin elements circumferentially disposed around the lower end of the upper tubular section; and at least two J-slot elements circumferentially disposed around the upper end of the lower tubular section; such that when the upper tubular section is rotated slightly and pulled axially away from the lower tubular section, the bayonet coupling disengages to detach the upper and lower tubular sections for cleaning.
 7. The stopper valve of claim 1, wherein: the lift relief is formed as an elongated slot extending vertically downward from the locking pocket to enable removal of the drain stopper valve assembly for cleaning without removal or disassembly of the lift rod.
 8. The stopper valve of claim 1, further comprising: a lift rod configured for use with the receptacle and coupling with a lift member to raise and lower the stopper valve within the drain.
 9. The stopper valve of claim 1, wherein the multiple apertures comprise: a substantially uniform array of closely spaced openings to form a mesh-like pattern to enable a free flow of liquid and to block the passage of debris and solid objects.
 10. The stopper valve of claim 9, wherein the multiple apertures comprise: an array of substantially identical openings through the side walls of the upper and lower sections of the stopper valve. 